Minsc, Beloved Ranger MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 344
2021-07-23 - Number 227
2021-07-23 - Number 227p
2021-07-23 - Number 227a
2021-07-23 - Number 227s
2020-09-26 - Number AFR-227
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Ranger |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Minsc brings added board presence and card advantage without casting additional spells via Boo.
- Its abilities offer resource acceleration and a chance for quick victories through combative prowess.
- Activatable at instant speed, Minsc enables surprise tactics during crucial combat moments.
Text of card
When Minsc, Beloved Ranger enters the battlefield, create Boo, a legendary 1/1 red Hamster creature token with trample and haste. : Until end of turn, target creature you control has base power and toughness X/X and becomes a Giant in addition to its other types. Activate only as a sorcery.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Minsc, Beloved Ranger presents a unique kind of card advantage, as it introduces additional board presence without the need to cast another spell. It allows you to summon Boo, the legendary hamster, providing an extra creature which can be very useful in overwhelming opponents or for defensive purposes.
Resource Acceleration: By enabling aggressive strategies, Minsc, Beloved Ranger aids in expediting your resource deployment. The capability to place +1/+1 counters on a creature effectively turns it into a more formidable threat sooner, potentially leading to quicker victories through enhanced combat performance.
Instant Speed: Although Minsc, Beloved Ranger isn’t an instant, it has an ability that can be activated at instant speed. This aspect allows you to adapt more flexibly during games, particularly during combat, to surprise your opponent by resizing Boo or other creatures, thereby influencing combat outcomes at critical moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Minsc, Beloved Ranger requires players to navigate around its unique ability, which might necessitate discarding other valuable cards, minimizing hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s cost demands a precise combination of mana types, potentially limiting its integration into multi-colored decks that can’t reliably meet the color requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is somewhat hefty, players might find that deploying Minsc, Beloved Ranger comes at the expense of tempo, especially when other cards at a lower cost could offer better board presence or utility.
Reasons to Include Minsc, Beloved Ranger in Your Collection
Versatility: Minsc, Beloved Ranger offers a unique ability to spawn Boo, a Legendary creature token with potential for both offensive and defensive strategies. This card can seamlessly integrate into decks that capitalize on Legendary synergies or require token generation.
Combo Potential: Minsc’s capacity to give Boo massive temporary boosts in power opens up numerous combo possibilities. When combined with mechanics that trigger on creature power or when a creature deals damage, Minsc proves to be a combo enabler in the right deck.
Meta-Relevance: With a shifting MTG meta, Minsc, Beloved Ranger can adapt to various playstyles, proving effective against an array of opponents. Whether it’s leveraging the mortal size change of Boo to control the board or turning Boo into a game-enduring powerhouse, Minsc can maintain relevance in diverse game scenarios.
How to Beat
Minsc, Beloved Ranger is a unique creature card in the Magic the Gathering universe known for its ability to bring a powerful hamster token into play and boost its power. Despite these capabilities, overcoming Minsc, Beloved Ranger can be a manageable task with the right strategy. The key lies in timing and resource allocation. One effective approach is utilizing removal spells at instant speed to disrupt the opponent’s plan before they can leverage Minsc’s abilities to their full advantage.
Being a three mana cost creature, Minsc, Beloved Ranger is susceptible to a wide range of commonly played removal spells such as Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt, the latter of which can be particularly devastating in response to Minsc’s activated ability, ensuring that both Minsc and the hamster token are dealt with swiftly. Other tactics include setting up blockers that outsize the token or using enchantments that prevent Minsc from attacking or blocking, such as Pacifism. This approach gates the player relying on Minsc’s offensive capabilities and forces them to find alternative paths to victory.
Given these strategies, while Minsc, Beloved Ranger can pose a significant threat if left unchecked, adept players can navigate around this card’s strengths, maintaining control of the game state and leading themselves towards victory.
Cards like Minsc, Beloved Ranger
Minsc, Beloved Ranger emerges as a unique character piece in MTG’s vast array of legendary creatures. Akin to Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves, Minsc brings a compelling animal companion into play. While Tolsimir pairs with a wolf, renowned for its fighting ability, Minsc arrives with his miniature giant space hamster, Boo, who is both charming and mechanically different with his ability to become temporarily monstrous.
Another creature worth comparing is Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin, who similarly creates tokens when he attacks. Minsc distinguishes himself by putting a token creature directly onto the battlefield, while Krenko’s ability scales with the number of times he’s tapped. The dynamics of their token generation diverge, offering players different tactical advantages depending on their play style and deck composition.
When evaluating versatility amongst legendary creatures, Minsc, Beloved Ranger, stands out for its unique polymorph-focused mechanic, which can be a game-changer. As players eye commanders that can shake up the battlefield and provide new interactions, Minsc proves to be a noteworthy option in the realm of MTG, offering flexibility and a touch of whimsy.
Cards similar to Minsc, Beloved Ranger by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Minsc, Beloved Ranger MTG card by a specific set like The List and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Minsc, Beloved Ranger and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Minsc, Beloved Ranger Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The List | PLST | AFR-227 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon | ||
| 2 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 344 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Phil Stone | |
| 3 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 227 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon | |
| 4 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 227p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon | |
| 5 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 227a | 2015 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon | |
| 6 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 227s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Minsc, Beloved Ranger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Minsc, Beloved Ranger card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-07-23 | Minsc has asked us (repeatedly) to let you know that Boo is the only miniature giant space hamster in the Realms. |
| 2021-07-23 | The activated ability will overwrite any previous effects that set the creature's power and toughness to specific values. Effects that otherwise modify the target creature's power and toughness will still apply no matter when they took effect. The same is true for +1/+1 counters. |
